5A No. 9 Manvel: No worries after change in class

By Russ Goodall

Updated 12:51 pm, Thursday, August 23, 2012

Photo: Smiley N. Pool

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Manvel quarterback Shane McCarley is sacked by Aledo defensive linemen Jared Hinsley (41) and Jaylen Hill (45) during the fourth quarter of the 4A Div. 2 state championship high school football game at Cowboys Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, in Arlington. Aledo won the game 49-28. (Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle ) less

Manvel quarterback Shane McCarley is sacked by Aledo defensive linemen Jared Hinsley (41) and Jaylen Hill (45) during the fourth quarter of the 4A Div. 2 state championship high school football game at Cowboys ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool

5A No. 9 Manvel: No worries after change in class

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Manvel has one simple motto: "Hoka Hey."

If the Mavericks, loaded on both sides of the ball, "play unselfish" this season, a return trip to the state championship game should be a nice way to finish up the school's first season in Class 5A.

Under the direction of head coach Kirk Martin, the Mavs have improved every year since the program first played varsity in 2008.

Going into his fifth season at the helm, Martin is 34-15 overall and 16-10 in district play. His Mavericks finished last season 15-1, their only loss coming in the Class 4A Division II state championship game to Aledo.

But Martin isn't worried about a hangover for his team, which is loaded with veterans.

"We'll preach that this year has nothing to do with last year," Martin said. "You have to earn your own way now. … Our kids are real eager. They felt like they missed an opportunity last year, and they are real eager to make that up this year. "

Offense is where the Mavs will be their strongest. Back is quarterback Shane McCarley, who threw for nearly 2,000 yards and totaled 23 touchdown passes as a junior.

"You have to take what the defense gives you," Martin said. "We have some great weapons, and we can do some things with a heavy package as well."

The defense will need some rebuilding. Despite the loss of two linemen - Taiwan Johnson and Glynn Cheeks - to Division I schools, Manvel has plenty of talent up front in Trey Silvers, who had 10 sacks last season, Jonathan London, Koda Martin and Keylon Harris.

While there will be an overhaul at linebacker, the back end of the defense will be the strong point with Texas A&M commit Tavares Garner, as well as Jared Ambers and Carlos Thompson.

If it all comes together for Manvel in its new district home - 22-5A - it will likely be making a strong push into the playoffs, a place Martin knows is full of tough teams.

"Division II-5A looks like a booger-bear to me," Martin said. "You got La Porte. You got Port Arthur Memorial. You got Katy. You have us. To me, that looks like a pretty tough road. But, our kids are excited about it and we really think our chances are great."